Our diplomats and the government circles should assess the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement regarding the US ‘interference’ in Pakistan’s affairs. The Russian ministry issued a statement in which it stated that the US is ‘punishing’ Imran Khan as he could not dance to its tune. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, regretted that due to Khan’s visit to Russia, the US was punishing him. She claimed that the US had put pressure on the former prime minister and had given him an ultimatum to cancel his visit or else there would be consequences to deal with. The consequences as per her claim are now being witnessed by Pakistanis as the political crisis that the state is entrapped in. Zakharova suggested that it was all a creation of the US as they have always interfered in the internal politics of sovereign states if the leaders of those states tend to shift away from being subservient to the US. She went on to state many of the claims that were made by Imran Khan as well in the past week regarding the ‘threats’ received and the channel through which they were received. She also suggested that this had all come down on Pakistan as a result of Khan’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and his visit to Russia. If more attention is paid to the statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs one is forced to see that their stance is more anti-US than pro-Pakistan. The statement has time and again mentioned the US in a dangerous light as a country that is known for meddling in the affairs of other countries and as one that will conspire in order to get its way. It is true that all states tailor their foreign policies, according to their needs and that is what Russia is doing by condemning American involvement (if there is any) in Pakistani politics.
Pakistan too tried developing a foreign policy that would be beneficial for the country which is why Imran Khan visited Russia. However, it is unwise to make enemies out of hegemons. Even if friendly relations cannot be developed, the relationship between two states must be cordial, without any involvement in the other’s political process. In his time as the prime minister, Imran Khan always opposed the US and sought after other opportunities throughout the world. As per Khan, it is not friendship, that he denies, but it is slavery that he opposes. Whatever the reason, he could have chosen better words and not hype-up anti-Americanism as in the long run it would only damage Pakistan economically and otherwise in the global arena. A country such as Pakistan should only seek ways to make friends, not enemies as only that would be beneficial for it in the long run.
